Abstract
In this primer on lithic analysis, Hayden employs a somewhat non-traditional approach to the study of stone tools that incorporates experimental archaeology. Hayden attempts to examine chipped stone tools from the viewpoints of the makers and users of those tools using a more holistic, bottom-up framework. Hayden's goal in the book “is to convey – in a basic and simple way – the perspective that I [Hayden] have found most useful for dealing with stone tools” (vii). He approaches the examination of lithic artifacts from a Design Theory prospective whereby lithic artifacts are seen as a solution to problems faced by the users of the tools. After a brief introductory chapter (Chapter 1) that outlines his perspectives on chipped stone tools, Hayden takes the reader through eight chapters. Chapters 2 and 3 discuss Design Theory in general and Design Theory in lithic analysis, respectively. The remaining six chapters go into more detail on various aspects of Design Theory as applied to lithic analysis. Rather than provide a list of references for each chapter, Hayden suggests additional readings that go into more detail on the specific topics presented in the chapter. In several chapters, he provides exercises for the reader to try. These exercises are designed “to help understand key concepts or perspectives and to begin to involving readers in experimental archaeology” (7).
Chapter 2 provides an introduction to Design Theory as developed by engineers to improve the design of machinery and industrial items. In short, Design Theory attempts to find ways to provide solutions to the technological problems people face. We start by identifying the basic problem that is to be solved. Next, possible constraints that determine an acceptable design solution are examined. This is followed by determining the kinds of solutions that are available to solve the problem. Finally, these possible solutions are evaluated by the costs or benefits of alternative solutions in order the determine the optimal solution. Chapter 3 follows along the same lines but applies the concepts to the study of prehistoric lithic artifacts. As an example, Hayden walks the reader through an analysis of end scrapers examining the various aspects of Design Theory.
Chapter 4 examines ways in which we analyze stone tools and provides some basic concepts applicable to lithic artifacts no matter what methods are used. These concepts include: how to determine that a piece of stone was used or worked, how to identify flakes, how to separate tools from debitage, and how to identify different types of flake modification. Hayden then goes into some detail describing how flakes can be modified and the various types of modification. This is followed by Chapter 5 which discusses reduction strategies. Reduction strategies are defined as “the ways in which raw materials were knapped to obtained useful flakes, bifaces, or ‘core tools’” (65). Understanding reduction strategies is important as they provide insights into the design process. Once someone has decided on the design of a tool, the next step is to determine how to transform raw stone into a useable shape. Because flint knapping is a subtractive process, there are various ways in which stone can be reduced. The reduction strategies chosen for the task can provide insights into the design constraints for various solutions. Hayden identifies six basic types of reduction strategies that are common in most lithic assemblages along with some regional variations. These are discussed in turn throughout the rest of Chapter 5 along with advantages and disadvantages of each.
The concepts learned in Chapter 5 are further applied in Chapter 6 as design considerations. Topics covered include reliability, maintainability, versatility, flexibility, and others that can influence the design of tools. These concepts will be recognized by those familiar with lithic analysis as design considerations in an Organization of Technology approach to lithic analysis. Rather than apply these concepts at the assemblage level (i.e., this assemblage reflects a maintainable strategy), Hayden argues that we should be using such design aspects to characterize specific task-related tools. Assemblages are made up of different types of strategies for dealing with different problems; therefore, it makes more sense to identify the strategies represented in an assemblage and analyze tools in those terms.
Chapter 7 examines aspects of resharpening and different raw materials that were used for chipped stone tools. Various raw material characteristics were preferred for specific tasks; therefore, we need to understand the influence of raw material types on design considerations. Simply put, certain raw materials will be better suited for specific tasks than other materials. People made conscious decisions on the materials that they employed for specific tools. Understanding how raw material characteristics influence these decisions aids in determining the decisions that past knappers made when selecting one raw material over another for a specific task.
To aid the reader in understanding how the various design considerations can be applied to an archaeological assemblage, Chapter 8 walks the reader through the analysis of lithic artifacts recovered from the Keatley Creek Site in British Columbia and applies the concepts introduced in the earlier chapters. Here, Hayden suggests assigning tools to specific strategies and determining the proportional contribution of these strategies to the overall assemblage can be informative.
Chapter 9, the final chapter, summarizes the important points that are made in the preceding chapters. There are eight points that Hayden tries to cover in the book. The first is to read ethnographies for insights into how stone tools were made and used. Next is to experiment with making and using various stone tools. Here, the idea is to solve basic problems that past peoples would have encountered. This is followed by examining the stone tools from the perspective of the users of those tools and to understand their constraints and the solutions that they chose. During the analysis of flake debris, one should determine the point of impact that detached the flake and to determine what was done to the flake after it was removed from the core. The fifth point is to pay attention to flake modifications and to become familiar with the usual and unusual types of stone tools found in a region. Next is examining reduction strategies to learn what strategies were employed and to try and determine why one strategy may have been selected over another. The seventh concept is distinguishing between biface fragments and bipolar cores. Finally, one should experiment with trampled vs used flake edges to determine how to distinguish between the two.
A glossary is provided at the end of the book that defines the key terms and concepts discussed in the book. This will certainly be of use for those new to lithic analysis as it provides quick access to the various terms and how they are used throughout the book.
Understanding Chipped Stone Tools was written in an informal and engaging style that makes the book an easy read, especially for those who may not be familiar with chipped stone tool analysis. Those starting their careers with an interest in lithic artifacts will likely find the book very useful. For those who have a background in chipped stone tool analysis, the book will likely provide a somewhat different perspective on lithic analysis. In either case, I can highly recommend Understanding Chipped Stone Tools.